Wednesday, July 25, 2012ESPN 300 DE Paul James finishes strong
By Corey Long

Miami Norland defensive end Paul James III earned an offer from Florida State after a strong effort at the Jimbo Fisher football camp last week but the 6-foot-2, 250-pound senior has long said he wants to get away from Florida for college.

James, ranked 198th in the ESPN 300, likes several programs including West Virginia, Illinois, Texas A&M and Alabama but admitted that he enjoyed his time at FSU camp.

"It was a lot of fun working with coach [D.J.] Eliot and being on campus," James said. "It was very nice to be there and get a chance to see the area and hang out with the coaching staff.

"I've always thought about playing football outside of the state but you can't close the door to anything."

James' final stop but Norland's training camp begins will be a trip to West Virginia on July 28. He has been recruited heavily by West Virginia assistant Robert Gillespie

"Coach Gillespie stays in touch often and they really want me to be part of their program," James said. "I am looking forward to seeing the area and working with the coaches there."

James said the Mountaineers are a program he has high interest in.

"I would say they are near the top in terms of schools that I've been interested in," James added. "They have an aggressive defense and they bring in a lot of players from down here."